Subjective outcome evaluation of the project P.A.T.H.S. : secondary analyses of the qualitative data collected from program implementers

This chapter presents findings on the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong based on secondary analyses of qualitative data collected. After the program was completed in each year, implementers from each participating school were requested to submit a school-based report. In each report, the implementers were invited to draw five conclusions to summarize the effectiveness of the program based on the results of subjective outcome evaluation conducted among program participants and implementers. By analyzing the conclusions in 1,327 reports collected from 244 secondary schools, the study showed that the implementers and participants generally perceived the Tier 1 Program as positive in terms of overall design, performance of implementers, and effectiveness in promoting students’ holistic development, with difficulties in the program delivery and recommendations for program improvement highlighted by some implementers. Consistent with previous studies based on different evaluation strategies, the present study provides further support for the overwhelming success of the Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong.